Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has stepped up efforts to investigate potential voter fraud, requesting that Secretary of State Jane Nelson provide voter registration data for individuals without a Texas-issued driver’s license or identification card. According to a release from the Attorney General’s Office, Paxton is seeking this information to prevent noncitizen voting and ensure election integrity just a month out from the election.
In a recent letter, Paxton expressed concern over excessive delays from the federal government in responding to Nelson's request for citizenship verification data. Sent on September 18, urging the federal government to confirm the citizenship of registered voters for whom the state lacks eligibility evidence. However, the Office of the Secretary of State, waiting two weeks for the requested verification, has still not provided a list of potential noncitizen voters to the federal government. Paxton’s letter, in an attempt to expedite the process, has now made it clear that the registration data is needed urgently, quoting, “There is no time for delay. Texans cannot afford to lose another second waiting for their vote and their voice to be protected from illegal ballots.”
The Attorney General's insistence on election security reflects a prevalent debate across the nation as states scrutinize voter eligibility requirements. Paxton’s actions have garnered both support and criticism, with proponents applauding the push for election integrity and detractors raising concerns about potential voter suppression and the stigmatizing effects on communities that might now fear participating in the electoral process. In his formal request to Nelson, Paxton stated, “Every election official in the State must join me in prioritizing this. Our State and our Country are counting on you to do everything possible to expedite transparency and accountability to secure our elections and make sure noncitizens do not illegally vote," as per the Attorney General’s Office.
